Identificaciones de uflgator

There are multiple species present in this photo. I believe the one farthest from and the one closest to the camera are Florida cooters. I will post this image multiple times and identify each species separately.

Description: Wild Tortoise discovered in the waters of a conservation park located in Tampa, Florida. The spotted tortoise was approximately a foot long and was of a dark color. If looked at very closely, slight yellow strips might be seen along the surface of its body.
Defining Characteristics: This species is indicative of the family of Emydidae.
Geographic Distribution: This species is generally found in freshwaters of the Florida peninsula.

Full Distribution: Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pseudemys_peninsularis/
References: All Turtles: https://www.allturtles.com/peninsula-cooter/

A REQUEST:
When recommending an identification, please adhere to current standards of taxonomy as deployed by iNaturalist at this time — as opposed to identifying and classifying organisms based on personal beliefs about what taxonomy can, should, or of right ought to be in opposition to iNaturalist’s current taxonomy. Comments noting such taxonomic disagreements, however, are welcomed and encouraged. I prefer my observations to be inline with current taxonomic standards as deployed by iNaturalist (as opposed to my personal beliefs) so that this and other observations are readily accessible to iNaturalist users with greater efficiency and usability. Thanks!

If you have any questions regarding this observation, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below!

Janson Jones,
http://floridensis.com.

The reptile pictured was found on the shoreline of a large pond - the pond itself was covered in various species of aquatic plants and biofilms and featured other animals such as fish and birds. The pond and surrounding area was predominantly swamp and forest, with dense trees and vegetation. The turtle appeared to be sunning itself and when approached from a distance was extremely aware of the presence of humans nearby, frequently withdrawing its head and neck into its shell and then extending its neck back out. The shell (carapace) of the turtle had visible scarring and chipping (perhaps a gouge from an interaction with another animal), but was a singular dark brown color with a distinctive raised texture. The bottom of the shell (plastron) was a yellow-color similar to the yellow banding and striations of the turtle's head and neck. The chin of the turtle appeared flat and gave the head and neck area a more rectangular outline, a characteristic often used to distinguish cooter species from slider turtles with which they often share similar habitat (1). Another prominent characteristic of the photographed specimen which led to the hypothesis that it is a coastal plain cooter and not a slider species was the shape of the shell itself - its edges were flared and curved slightly upward and the very top of the shell (i.e. at the top most part of the shell's curve) was more flat, making for a less steep curve (1). The turtle was approximately 9 or 10 inches in length and therefore was likely an adult female (1).

References:
(1) Florida Cooter. (n.d.). Retrieved February 06, 2021, from https://herpsofnc.org/florida-cooter/

Shape is ovular with dark green coloration on the shell and light stripes of yellow on the head and neck region. Feet are webbed with small claw-like structures. Organism is roughly the size of a football.
Species: Pseudemys concinna
Reference: http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Pseudemys&species=concinna&search_param=%28%28search%3D%27Suwannee+cooter%27%29%29
Habitat: Found near a retention pond on the coastline of the water.
Distribution: Throughout Southeastern USA, as well as Mideastern USA.

A REQUEST:
When recommending an identification, please adhere to current standards of taxonomy as deployed by iNaturalist at this time — as opposed to identifying and classifying organisms based on personal beliefs about what taxonomy can, should, or of right ought to be in opposition to iNaturalist’s current taxonomy. Comments noting such taxonomic disagreements, however, are welcomed and encouraged. I prefer my observations to be inline with current taxonomic standards as deployed by iNaturalist (as opposed to my personal beliefs) so that this and other observations are readily accessible to iNaturalist users with greater efficiency and usability. Thanks!

If you have any questions regarding this observation, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below!

Janson Jones,
http://floridensis.com.